Behavioural effects of cannabidiol in a preclinical model of neurodevelopmental disorders

Behavioural impairments in neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia emerge primarily after adolescence. Early treatments in vulnerable populations could be important in blocking or altering the severity of adult symptoms. We used the prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model to test the effects of a 6-day exposure to cannabidiol (CBD, 10 mg/kg/day) during adolescence on adult behaviours relevant to schizophrenia. Prenatal LPS decreased juvenile play behaviour, increased anxiety-related behaviours and decreased spontaneous neuronal firing in the prefrontal cortex. These effects were seen in male but not in female rats. In males, CBD did not generally affect LPS-induced behavioural deficits, except for a slight improvement in plus-maze behaviours. In contrast, in females CBD worsened some anxiety-related behaviours in adulthood. Our results suggest that deleterious effects of prenatal LPS on adult behaviours occur predominantly in males. Further, CBD treatment during adolescence may not rescue behavioural deficits in males and may worsen anxiety-like behaviours in females.M.H.Sc